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Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon

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One of the new events added to the line-up for 2011 First Night, The Theatre Honors was The Women In Theatre Luncheon - which saluted the inaugural eight recipients of The First Night Star Award - held Tuesday, August 30, at The Listening Room Cafe in Cummins Station. Co-chaired by Corrie Miller and Neely O'Brien Green, the event was produced by Jeffrey Ellis, founder and executive producer of First Night.

More than 50 people attended the first-ever event which feted First Night Star Award winners Kate Adams-Johnson of The Keeton Theatre, Maryanna Clarke of Tennessee Women's Theater Project, Trish Crist of Rhubarb Theater Company, Melissa Bedinger Hade of ACT 1, Denice Hicks of Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Mary McCallum of SistaStyle Productions, and Cathy Sanborn Street of Street Theatre Company, for their contributions to Nashville's vibrant theatrical scene.

The WIT Luncheon was just one of the events held during the nine-day period from August 27-September 4 in celebration of live theater in the Volunteer State, which culminated on September 4 with First Night: The Honors Gala, featuring a concert in tribute to the six 2011 First Night Honorees: Pam Atha, Daniel Brewer, Gary C. Hoff, Danny Proctor, Layne Sasser and Helen Shute-Pettaway.

photos by Neely O'Brien Green

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Rachel Agee, Jessika Malone and Jacki Johnson

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
First Night founder/executive producer Jeffrey Ellis recognizes the First Night Star Award winners.

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Shannon McMinn Hoppe, Beki Baker, Robyn Berg and Bonnie Keen

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Linda Sue Simmons Runyeon and her daughter, Alyssa

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Denice Hicks, Pam Atha and Brooke Bryant

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Melissa Bedinger Hade, Vali Forrister, Denice Hicks and Trish Crist

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Brenda Frye, Tracey Barnes Hughes and Lisa Garner Harrison, who claimed the best dressed award for the WIT Luncheon.

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Kim Thornton Nygren, Lisa Marie Wright, Evelyn O'Neal Brush and Tammie Whited

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Brooke Bryant and Pam Atha

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Larry Keeton, Jane Schnelle and Brad Kamer

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Alyssa and Linda Sue Simmons Runyeon

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Tracey Barnes Hughes, Jeffrey Ellis, Brenda Frye and Lisa Garner Harrison

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Jaclyn Lisenby Brown, Jama Bowen and Joy Tilley Perryman

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Beki Baker, Shannon McMinn Hoppe and Robyn Berg

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Tracey Barnes Hughes, Brenda Frye and Lisa Garner Harrison, channeling their moms for the WIT Luncheon.

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
2011 Most Promising Actor Hannah McGinley and Lynda Cameron-Bayer

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
2011 First Night Honoree Helen Shute-Pettaway and Molly Breen

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Jeffrey Ellis welcoming guests to the WIT Luncheon.

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Jeffrey Ellis with First Night Star Award recipients Kate Adams-Johnson, Mary McCallum and Maryanna Clarke.

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Kate Adams-Johnson, Hannah McGinley and Linda Cameron-Bayer

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Lauri Gregoire and Corrie Miller

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image
Corrie Miller and Neely O'Brien Green

Photo Coverage: First Night: The Women In Theatre Luncheon Image

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